This new cartridge is a simplified system for patients, for use with the continuous infusion pump
The APO-go POD infusion is easy to set up and does not require any transfer of liquid.
APO-go® POD 5 mg/ml solution for infusion in cartridge is for the treatment of motor fluctuations (‘ON-OFF’ phenomena) in adult patients with Parkinson’s disease that are not sufficiently controlled by oral anti-Parkinson medication.1
SIMPLE
Simplified delivery system – designed to support patient autonomy versus APO-go®PFS.1,2,3
READY-TO-USE
Easy to set up, the cartridge ‘clicks on’ with no liquid transfer, avoiding spillage risk and waste1
FLEXIBLE DOSING
APO-go® POD can be used over 48 hours versus 24 hours with APO-go® PFS1,2
The APO-go POD subcutaneous infusion therapy is administered through a small, lightweight Crono® pump, which is discreet and easy to carry. The pump can be programmed to deliver variable continuous flow rates and bolus doses allowing more flexibility and predictability for patients.
Clonmel Healthcare has been supplying APO-go in Ireland for 25 years. APO-go pen injectors are still available, as an as-needed adjuvant pharmacotherapy, used in Parkinson’s Disease when motor complications occur with levodopa therapy.
Clonmel Healthcare provides patients with a dedicated nurse service, training and educational resources and a full suite of support materials for all advanced Parkinsons’s therapies.
Please contact Clonmel Healthcare on 01-6204000 if you require any additional information.
Date prepared: September 2025. 2025/ADV/APO/072H.
- APO-go® POD 5 mg/ml solution for infusion in cartridge. Summary of Product Characteristics.
- APO-go® PFS 5mg/ml Solution for Infusion in Prefilled Syringe. Summary of Product Characteristics.
- Crono® APO-go III. Instructions for use. IFU PS4AHEN Rev. 1 03–2020.
APO-go POD 5 mg/ml SOLUTION FOR INFUSION IN CARTRIDGE
Each 20 ml cartridge contains 100 mg apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate.
Presentation: Glass cartridge containing a clear, colourless solution.
Indications: APO-go POD is indicated in adults for the treatment of motor fluctuations (‘on-off’ phenomena) in patients with Parkinson’s disease which are not sufficiently controlled by oral anti-Parkinson medication. Dosage: Continuous infusion is started at a rate of 1 mg apomorphine (0.2 ml) per hour then increased according to individual response each day. Increases in the infusion rate should not exceed 0.5 – 1.0 mg/hr per day. Once there is adequate control of motor symptoms, the infusion rate can remain stable and will usually range between 2 and 8 mg/hr (0.4 and 1.6 ml). Infusions should run for waking hours only. The recommended total daily dose should not exceed 100 mg. Patients may need to supplement their continuous infusion with intermittent bolus boosts as directed by their physician (but not exceeding the 100 mg maximum daily dose). Tolerance to the therapy does not seem to occur as long as there is an overnight period without treatment of at least 4 hours. the infusion site should be changed every 24 hours. Alterations in dosage may be made according to the patient’s response. In clinical studies it has usually been possible to make some reduction in the dose of levodopa and other anti-Parkinson medications; this effect varies considerably between patients and needs to be carefully managed by an experienced physician. Once treatment has been established domperidone therapy may be gradually reduced in some patients and discontinued altogether whenever possible. Refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics. Method of administration: Subcutaneous use. Contraindications: In patients with respiratory depression, dementia, psychotic diseases or hepatic insufficiency. Apomorphine treatment must not be administered to patients who have an ‘on’ response to levodopa which is marred by severe dyskinesia or dystonia. Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. The concomitant use of apomorphine with drugs of the 5HT3 antagonist class is contraindicated (including, for example, ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, palonosetron and alosetron). APO-go POD is contraindicated for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Warnings and precautions: In patients with renal, pulmonary or cardiovascular disease and persons prone to nausea and vomiting. Extra caution is recommended during initiation of therapy in elderly and/or debilitated patients. Since apomorphine may produce hypotension, even when given with domperidone pre-treatment, care should be exercised in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease or postural hypotension. Haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients treated with apomorphine. Haematology tests, as recommended with levodopa, should be undertaken at regular intervals. Neuropsychiatric problems co-exist in many patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. There is evidence that for some patients neuropsychiatric disturbances may be exacerbated by apomorphine. Special care should be exercised when apomorphine is used in these patients. Patients who have experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. Furthermore, a reduction of dosage may be considered. APO-go POD contains sodium metabisulfite which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm. Interactions: Neuroleptic medicinal products may have an antagonistic effect if used with apomorphine. There is a potential interaction between clozapine and apomorphine, however clozapine may also be used to reduce the symptoms of neuropsychiatric complications. Caution is advised when combining apomorphine with other medicinal products, especially those with a narrow therapeutic range. Even when co-administered with domperidone, apomorphine may potentiate the antihypertensive effects of antihypertensive and cardiac active medicinal products. It is recommended to avoid the administration of apomorphine with other drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation: There is no experience of apomorphine usage in pregnant women. Animal reproduction studies do not indicate any teratogenic effects, but doses given to rats which are toxic to the mother can lead to failure to breathe in the newborn. APO-go POD should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. It is not known whether apomorphine is excreted in human breast milk. There is no data on the effects of APO-go POD on fertility. Driving and operation of machinery: Apomorphine has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Undesirable effects: Hallucinations, infusion site reactions, neuro-psychiatric disturbances (including transient mild confusion and visual hallucinations), transient sedation, somnolence, dizziness/ light headedness, yawning, nausea, vomiting. Refer to Summary of Product Characteristics for other adverse effects. Adverse reactions should be reported via HPRA Pharmacovigilance, website: www.hpra.ie. Pack size: 5 cartridges. A copy of the Summary of Product Characteristics is available upon request or go to www.clonmelhealthcare.ie. Marketing authorisation holder: STADA Arzneimittel AG, Stadastrasse 2-18, 61118 Bad Vilbel, Germany. Marketing authorisation number: PA0593/042/004. Medicinal product subject to medical prescription. Date last revised: March 2025.